History of Vandola Baptist Church

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    John M. Hubbard and those interested in establishing a place to worship meet regularly for 18 months, always seeking the Lord's will through prayer.  Mr. Hubbard donated the land on which the church stands today, others gave timber which was sawed at a nearby sawmill, the ladies collected money and a building committee was formed.   W. R. Harvey, Miss Mary Will Harvey, Fleetwood Powell, and J. M. Hubbard were elected to serve on the first building committee.

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    The original building, which was a one room auditorium was completed in May 1889 and it was heated by a wood stove, and oil lamps were used for light.  A dedication service was held on June 9, 1889, led by Dr. George B. Eager, who was pastor of First Baptist Church in Danville at the time.  There were 19 charter members, all of whom have passed on.   Rev.  W. H. Sledge served as Supply Pastor for the remainder of 1889.   In January, 1890,  Rev. W. D. Barr was called to serve as the first Pastor.  Scott Bortz is our 22nd pastor. 

 

    In deciding a name for the church, there was quite a discussion in deciding between South Bend or Vandola, of course it was Vandola.

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    Banks Powell was the first clerk, Robert Moss and Marian Sledge were the first deacons.   The Sunday School was organized at the beginning of 1889.  The Woman Missionary Union was organized in 1907.  The first Vacation Bible School was help in 1945. 

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Vandola Baptist Church Pastors

W. D. Barr                     1890 - 1902

F. H. Jones                     1903 - 1908

W. R. White                    1908 - 1909

C. B. Austin                    1910 - 1911

C. J. Beeker                     1911 - 1914

M. B. Major                     1915 - 1918

E. P. Robertson               1919 - 1922

W. H. Hollowell              1923 - 1925

T. N. Moody                    1925 - 1934

E. M. Richardson Jr.        1935 - 1940

G. C. Lynch                      1941 - 1945

C. L. Warren                    1947 - 1951

J. A. Crosier                      1951 - 1953

R. B. Burnette                   1953 - 1956

Tearie P. Brown               1957 - 1961

H. B. Land Jr.                    1962 - 1967

Bobby E. Bennett               1968 - 1974

Gerald B. Reeves               1974 - 1979

Ronald W. Crawford         1980 - 1984

Dr. Leroy Clack                  1984 - 1998

Larry Farrell (Interim)       1998 - 2000

Rick Lancaster                    2000 - 2008

Dr. Gary Tucker (Interim)  2008 - 2009

Scott Bortz                       2010 - Present

 

 

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